How much PSU do I need?

PSUs: The source of DC power for all components in the PC & often a big noise source.

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adamlevy
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2003 4:07 pm
Location: Austin, TX, USA

How much PSU do I need?

Post by adamlevy » Sat Jul 19, 2003 4:20 pm

Pretty much the only thing I haven't purchased yet for my new system is a Case/PSU. When I go to buy the PSU, what kind of power do I need for the following?

- P4 2.8GHz
- GigaByte 8KNXP
- 2x256MB Corsair TwinXLL
- ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
- Western Dig. 80GB SE (WD800JB)
- Lite-On CD-RW
- Lite-On DVD-ROM
- SB Audigy 2

I probably will not overclock anything, and I probably won't add/upgrade too much for a good while...maybe a SATA hard drive when they get a little cheaper and/or I fill up 80GB.

GamingGod
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Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2002 9:52 pm
Location: United States, Mobile, AL

Post by GamingGod » Sat Jul 19, 2003 4:44 pm

Check out the how much will a 300w power supply run thread. You should be able to run that setup with a 300w easy. Maybe even a 250w.

Kostik
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Posts: 391
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2003 7:51 am
Location: Paris, France

Post by Kostik » Sat Jul 19, 2003 4:45 pm

180w should be enough, anything bigger will be overkill :D

Seriously now. Your system probably won't draw more than 180w, so go with a 300w PSU and you will have plenty of headroom for upgrading, and even overclocking if you change your mind. Choose a quality PSU from the recommended section, and it will be fine.

You should also check this thread.

jojo4u
Posts: 806
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2002 7:00 am
Location: Germany

Post by jojo4u » Sun Jul 20, 2003 2:50 am

German magazine C't tested 875 and 865 motherboards. They all draw 70% of the whole current on the 12V line. You PC will probably need more than 200W AC: http://www.computerbase.de/article.php?id=227&page=4

Let's take safe 220W:
220W * 70% PSU efficiency * 70% = 110W. You will need a PSU with at least 10A on the 12V line.

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